Where there are fireworks, there is fire.

But the mentality of local officials to acquiesce means we’ll all be doing a whole lot of hoping this weekend.

Officials in Adams County and Louisiana have felt it important to enact burn bans due to dry grounds, hot temperatures and evasive rains.

We are all at risk of fast-spreading grass fires that could engulf larger structures.

Yet both Adams County and Concordia Parish officials made a point to say fireworks are excluded from the bans.

Everyone issued warnings and urged caution, but no one was brave enough to say “no fireworks.”

Sure, it’s difficult to be a party-pooper.

But it’s even more difficult to clean up charred rubble, or worse, visit friends in the hospital.

If it’s dry enough for a burn ban, it’s dry enough for a fireworks ban.

Professionals will be exploding dozens of fireworks under the watchful eye of the Natchez Fire Department tonight during the citywide show. Other experts will light more sky bombs on Lake St. John Saturday.

Why not allow these two shows to go on and encourage community unity by pushing local residents to view one of the professional shows instead of lighting their own fireworks?

The decision to allow fireworks is ill advised at best, potentially devastating at worst.

If you plan to shoot fireworks this weekend, please do so in an open area with a healthy water source nearby.

We hope and pray the officials’ mentality — don’t rock the boat until the ship is already sinking — won’t cause heartache this weekend.